BHP submitted an environmental permit application for a $1.5 billion project to reopen the Cerro Colorado copper mine in Chile. This initiative aims to extend the operational life of the Tarapacá Region site by 20 years. The mine entered care and maintenance in late 2023 following the expiration of previous environmental permits.
The project targets an annual production of 130,000 tonnes of copper cathodes. A new 100-kilometer pipeline will transport treated wastewater to the facility. This water supply system addresses the permitting issues that previously forced the mine's closure.
Construction will create approximately 1,500 jobs. Operations will support over 3,000 direct and indirect positions. The restart aligns with BHP’s strategy to increase copper production for rising global demand.